Bringing in more than $10,000 for the Valley Adult Learning Association’s literacy program, the fourth-annual VALA Variety Show was another success, complete with an array of fabulous talent, colourful costumes, and plenty of laughs.
This year entitled “A Wacky River Cruise,” the cast and audience began their trip in Fort Frances and continued on down the Rainy River—stopping in such ports as Emo, Barwick, Stratton, and Rainy River.
The show, which also featured a wedding ceremony, a captain’s dinner, and other excursions, ran Friday night and twice on Saturday at the Townshend Theatre.
“Everything went so smoothly—we’re really happy,” enthused director Babs Spielberg (a.k.a. Barb Duguay). “And we’ve heard great reviews.”
She noted she’s been receiving phone calls and e-mails offering plenty of positive feedback.
“We were worried that it would run a little long because we had so many acts, but people . . . said it didn’t seem long because there were so many things happening, so it seemed to go by fast.”
And with such a variety of performers, people named many different acts as their favourites.
“It was the best cast I’ve ever worked with,” Duguay stressed, noting this year’s show featured 101 participants.
“Not one single problem backstage even with 101 people,” she remarked. “People who had been in the show in previous years knew where to go and what to do, which was a big help.”
The show began at the dock in Fort Frances, where the Fort Frances Highlanders offered up a few numbers, followed by “O Canada” sung by Frank Ball.
The audience also was introduced to “Ginger” (Robin McCormick) from Gilligan’s Island, who reflected on a cruise she took down the Rainy River.
Then the VALA Follies themselves took to the stage with a dance routine as they, and the other passengers like “Blanche” (Karon Kaminski) and “Doris” (Marie Hamilton), boarded the ship.
The Fort Dance Studio’s Lovely Ladies offered up a routine, followed by Myron Hawrylak singing an original song he wrote before the cruise ship entertainer (Terry Higgins) sang “Beyond the Sea.”
Soon the ship stopped in the port of Emo for some shopping and on shore entertainment by the VALA Follies as they danced to “Rock this Town.”
The “Wacky River Cruise” also featured a wedding at the Norlund Chapel with “Thurston Howell III” and “Lovey” (Gus and Barb MacDonell) finally tying the knot.
Performances during the ceremony and reception included a duet by Romeo Duguay and Pauline Jolicoeur, a few numbers by well-knowns Dolly Parton (Colleen Cote) and Porter Wagner (Louie Haukeness), and a dance routine by the Dancemaker Darlings.
The ship then hit some rough waters at Manitou Rapids, but not to worry, Winnipeg’s own Harlequin Barbershop Quartet put everyone’s minds at ease with their harmonious vocal stylings.
When the ship reached the port of Barwick, there was time for a car museum excursion and entertainment by the Blues Brothers (Pat Tougas and Dave Black), Karri Tougas, and the Sassy Sexy Seniors from Thunder Bay.
Following a buffet break (intermission), where passengers were able to deboard the ship to check out raffles and sales in the high school cafeteria, the captain’s dinner was held on the ship.
There, Frank Ball and the Walkettes performed, as well as the Borderland Ensemble.
But the good time was cut short when the pirates of the Rainy River (led by John Rafferty) climbed aboard and offered up their rendition of “Yo ho ho and a Bottle of Rum.”
But soon things were under control again and more entertainment was provided by The Can Can Gals of Koochiching and Karri Tougas.
In the port of Stratton, passengers took in a cattle sale and onshore entertainment featuring a dance number by The Infernos, the Sassy Sexy Seniors, and Harlequin Barbershop Quartet.
Reaching their final destination of Rainy River, passengers were treated to the powerful vocals of Melanie Bodnar at the Hotel Rainy River, featuring the North of the Trax band.
And at the train station, the VALA Follies offered up a dance routine to “All the Jazz.”
Finally, Patsy Cline (Sandra Allen) performed on the boat deck while in Hannam Park, the Beatles (Drew Donaldson, Kenneth Kellar, Ryan Wood, and Ross Kircher) were live in concert with several of their popular songs.
“It took a lot of work, especially pulling everything together the final week,” Duguay admitted. “But it was well worth it. We have a lot of natural talent out in the community. . . .
“I think this was our best show ever,” she enthused. “I guess we’ve just been getting better ever year. Learning by our mistakes and trying to improve things ever year.”
And of course, the show couldn’t have been such a big success without the crew of the show—the producer “Princess Stephanee” (Kim Redford), the choreographer “Mlle. Cherie” (Sherree Denby), musical director Romeo Duguay, the stage crew (Janet Algie and Rylee Godin), the musicians, the sound and lighting technicians, the costume ladies, the make-up artists, the set designers, and so many more.
“There are so many people involved in the show and they all do such a great job. I’m so proud of them and so thankful,” said Duguay.
Proceeds from the show will go towards the VALA literacy program to provide more services, as well as buy more technology and new software.
“Literacy encompasses more than just reading and writing,” she explained. “We’re now into workplace literacy.”
Duguay added VALA, which is open to anyone over the age of 18, will help people upgrade their skills in the workplace by offering a range of classes and workshops—from computer classes, digital media camera classes, workplace communications workshops, and the Academic Career Entrance (ACE) program.
“We’re very happy to have raised the amount of money we did from the show,” she remarked, noting although they brought in about $1,000 more last year, they’re still pleased.
“We were competing against a lot of different activities this year,” said Duguay. “Thankfully, we did three shows this year, which probably allowed more of an opportunity for people to come out.”
She indicated many tickets were sold last-minute and at the door. And all three crowds were quite full, even if they weren’t quite sold out.
However, even with the success of this year’s show, Duguay noted they won’t be staging one next year.
“We’re going to take a break for a year,” she said. “And we’ll see what happens. We’ve done this for four years and it takes a lot of energy.
“So we’re just going to sit back, re-evaluate everything, and re-energize.”
She noted they may even come up with some other fundraising ideas for the future.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
